The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-08
( PEOPLES PRESIDENT.
CLEVELAND WRITES A LETTER OF
REGRET TO ST. LOUIS.

Grand Army of the Republic Sure to
Cause ANY Unpleasantness the Chief
Magistrate Will Not Visit the Mis-
souri, Metropolis.
ST. LOUIS, July Mayor Francis has
received the following letter from President
Cleveland, declining to visit st Louis and
giving his reasons therefor:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1887. {
TO Hon. David r. Francis, Mayor and Chair
man:
MY DEAR S1R-Whcn received the extremely
cordial and gratifying invitation from the citi-
zenS of st. Louis, rendered by Il number of her
representative men, to visit that city during the
national encampment of the Grand Army Of the
Republic | had been contemplating for some
time the acceptance of an invitation from that
organization to the same effect and had cOnsid-
cred the pleasure it would afford me, if it should
be possible, to meet not only the members of
the Grand Army of the Republic, but the people
of st. Louis and other cities in the West which
the occasion would give me an opportunity to
visit. The eXactons of my public duties | felt
to be so uncertain, however, that when first
confronted by the delegation, of which you were
the head, expected to do no more at that time
than to promise consideration of the double in
vitation rendered me and express the pleasure
it would give me to accept the same
thereafter il possible. But the cordiality and
sincerity of your organization, reinforced by the
heartiness of the good people who surrounded
you, so impressed me that could not resist the
feeling which prompted me to assure you on
the spot that would be with you and the Grand
Army of the Republic ut the time designated if
nothing happened in the meantime to abso-
lltely prevent my leaving Washington. I'm
mediatcly upon the public announcement of this
conclusion, expressions emanating from certain
important members of the Grand Army of the
Republic and increasing in volume and virulence
constrained me to review my acceptance Of
these invitations. The expressions referred to
go to the extent of declaring that would be an
unwelcome guest at the time and place of the
national encampment This statement is based,
as we'll as can judge, upon certain official acts
of mine involving important public interests,
done under the restraint and obligations of my
oath of office, which do not appear to accord
with the wishes of some members Of the Grand
Army of the Republic. | refuse to believe that
this organization, founded upon patriotic ideas,
composed very largely of men entitled
to lasting honor and consideration and whose
Crowning glory it should be that they
are American citizens well as veteran
soldiers, deems it part of its mission to compass
any object or purpose by attempting to intim
date an executive or coerce those charged with
making and executing the laws, and yet the
expressions to which l have referred indicate
such a prevalence of unfriendy feeling, and
such q menance to the occasion which should be
harmonious, peaceful and cordial, that they
cannot be ignored
beg YOU to understand that | am not CON
scious of any act of mine which should make
me fear to meet the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, or any other assemblage of my fellow-citi-
zens. The account of my official stewardship is
always ready for presentation to my country
men. should not be frank if failed TO confess
while disclaiming all resentment that L have
been hurt by the unworthy and wanton attacks
upon me growing out of this matter, and the
reckless manner in which my actions and mo-
tveS have been misrepreSented, both publicly
and privately, for which, however, the Grand
Army OF the Republic, as body is by no means
responsible The threats Of personal violence
and harm in case | undertake the trip in ques-
tion, which scores of misguided, unbalanced
men, under the stimulation of excited feeling,
have made, are not even considered. Rather
than abandon my visit to the West and disap-
point your citizens, might, if alone were con-
cerned submit to the Insult to which, it is quite
openly asserted would be helpleSsly subjected,
if present at the eucampment, but / should bear
with me there the peoples highest Office, the
dignity of which must protect, and | believe
that neither the Grand Army of the Republic,
as an organization nor anything like a majority
of its members, would ever encourage any
scandaous attack upon it. II. however,
among the membership Of this body there are
some, as certainly seems to be the case deter
mined to denounce me and my Official acts at
the national encampnent believe they Should
be permitted to do so InTestraincd by my pres
enco as a guest of their organization or as
guest of the hospitable city in Which Their
meeting is held A number of Grand Army
posts have signihed their intention, | am in
formed, to remain away from the encamp
ment in case / visit the city at that time
Without considering the merit OF such excuse
feel that l ought not to be the cause of such
non-attendance. The time and place of the en-
campment were fixed long before my invitations
were received. Those desiring TO participate in
its proceedings should be first regarded, and
nothing should be permitted to interfere with
their intentions. Another consideration OF more
importance than all the others remains to be
noticed The fact was referred TO by you when
you verbally presented the invitation of the citi-
zens Of st. Louis, that the coming encampfnent
Of the Grand Army OF the Republic would be
held in q Southern State. | suppose
this fact was mentioned as a pleasing indication
of the fraternal feeling so fast gaining ground
throughout the entire Land and hailed by every
patriotic citizen as an earnest that the Union has
really and in fact been saved in sentiment and
spirit with all the benefits it vouchsafes to a
united people. l cannot ridmysel OF the beilet
that the least diScOrd on this prOpltlouS occasion
might retard the progress of the sentiment OF
common brotherhood which the Grand Army
OF the Republic has SO good an opportunity TO
increase and foster. l certainly ought not 70
be the cause of such discord in any event or
upon any preteXt. II seems TO Inc that you
and the citizens OF ST LOUIS
are entitled to this unrescrved statement
of the conditions which have constrained me to
forego my contemplated visit and TO withdraw
my acceptance of your invitation My presence
be of hut little moment compared with the i'm
portance of cordial and harmonious entertain
mcnt of your other guests assure you that |
abandon my plan without the least personal
feeling except regret, constrained thereto by o
sense of duty, actuated by a desire TO save any
embarrassment to the people OF 50. Louis or
Jnplr expected guests ana Wltn u HetlfI Iuli OF
grateful appreciation of the sincere and un-
affected kindness of your citizens Hoping the
encamnmelU may be the occasion Of much use
fulness, and that it's proceedings may Illustrate
the highest patriotism of American citizenship,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
MORE OF THE CORRESPONDENTS.
WAsHINGToN, July 7--Ihe following are
copies Of two letters relating TO the Presl-
dents proposed visit to st. Louis, which
have not vet been made public. The first is
the letter inviting him TO be present at the
meeting in that city of the Grand Army Of
the Republic and the second is hi5 formal
letter Of declination addressed 70 joint
committee representing the municipality,
the business men Of the city, and the Grand
Army of the Republic:
ST. LOUIS, Mo, Feb, 90, 1887.
GroUer Cleveland, President Of The United
States:
SIR-rhe national encampment Of the Grand
Army OF the Republic VIII be held IN thus city
during September next, from the 2'th TO the 30th
inclusive. IL promises 10 be the largest gather
ing Of veterans of the late war ever seen Inc
organization was never IN 50 hourishing condl-
ton and the membership never 50 large as at
the present time. il will be the first encamp-
ment located IN city near the centre OF the
country and the first ever held in q
Southern State. our people are
sparing no effort TO insure for the assemblage